Nectarine tree named &#39;Sunectwentyfour&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct nectarine tree variety,  Prunus persica  var.  nucipersica,  cv. ‘Sunectwentyfour’ is characterized by early ripening, large sized fruit, lower chilling requirements and nearly 100% over-color.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus nucipersica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Sunectwentyfour’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new and distinct variety of nectarine, Prunus persica var. nucipersica cv. ‘Sunectwentyfour’. The new variety was first hybridized in 2002 and selected in 2004 by Terry Bacon as breeder number: ‘NE338’. The new variety was first evaluated by Terry A. Bacon near Wasco, Calif. in Kern County. The variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ was originated by hybridization.

The new variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ is characterized by early ripening, large sized fruit, low chilling requirements and nearly 100% over-color.

The seed parent is ‘94-018N’ (unpatented), and the pollen parent is not known as the pollen came from a bulk pollen mix originating from several unpatented low chill Sun World nectarine selections. The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2002, the date of first sowing being February 2003 and the date of first flowering being January 2004. The new nectarine variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in June 2004 by budding.

The new variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ is distinguished from its seed parent, ‘94-018N (unpatented)’, in that the new variety ripens about seven days earlier than the seed parent and the new variety has nearly 100% over-color, while 94-018N (unpatented) has 60-75% over-color. The fruit size of the new variety is also larger at 69 mm, compared to 94-018N (unpatented) with a diameter of 60 mm.

The new variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ has a similar ripening time as ‘May Glo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), but the fruit is larger in size, at about 69 mm versus 62 mm for ‘May Glo’. The new variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ has similar ripening time as ‘Zee Fore’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,501) but the new variety has a lower chilling requirement of 200 CH, compared to 300 CH for ‘Zee Fire’. The fruit of the new variety is also larger in size, about 69 mm versus 66 mm for ‘Zee Fire.’

The new variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, budding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new nectarine variety ‘Sunectwentyfour’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 6 year old ‘Sunectwentyfour’ plants on Nemared (unpatented) rootstock, grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

-   Tree:     -   -   General.—(Measurements taken on 6 year old tree unless             otherwise noted.) Size: Large. Normal for most nectarine             varieties. Reaches a height of approximately 3 meters             including normal pruning. Spread: Normal for most nectarine             varieties. Approximately 15 feet with normal vase pruning.             Vigor: Strong. Approximately 1.8 to 2 meters of growth in             the first growing season. Growth: Upright to spreading.             Productivity: Productive. Fruit set is usually two or more             times the desired amount for marketable size fruit. Thinning             is necessary. Form: Vase formed. Bearer: Regular. Fertility:             Self-fertile Canopy Density: Dense. Pruning is necessary to             maintain tree vase shape and allow light into canopy.             Hardiness: Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.             Disease Resistance/Susceptibility: No specific testing for             relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been             undertaken. Under close observation in Kern County,             California, no particular plant/fruit disease             resistance/susceptibility has been observed.         -   Trunk.—(Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil             line.) Diameter: Approximately 25 cm. Texture: Medium             shaggy. Trunk color: Outer bark is about Light Greyed-Green             198D to 178A Dark Greyed-Red. Trunk color becomes darker             with age.         -   Branches.—(Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil             line.) Size: Diameter ranges from approximately 8-10 cm.             Texture: Smooth on young wood, increasing roughness with             tree age. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A to Light             Greyed-Green 198D Lenticels: Present. Lenticels Numbers:             Numerous. Lenticels Density: Approximately 3-5 per cm2.             Lenticels Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 164C. Lenticels             Size: Medium. Lenticels Length: Approximately 6 mm.             Lenticels Width: Approximately 2 mm.         -   Flowering shoots.—(Data taken in June at midpoint of             current-season growth.) Size: Average diameter approximately             5 mm. Color: Topside: About Dark Greyed-Brown 199A to Dark             Green 141B. Underside: About Dark Green 141B. Thickness:             Medium. Internode Length: Medium; approximately 2 cm. Midway             on flowering shoot. Flowering Shoot Lenticels: None             observed. Flowering Shoot Leaf Buds: Shape: Obovate. Width:             Approximately 2 mm. Length: Approximately 3 mm. Color: About             Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Flowering Shoot Flower Buds: Shape:             Obovate. Width: Approximately 2.5 mm. Length: Approximately             4 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A. Number of buds             per node: Usually 2. Presence of Anthocyanin Coloration:             Present Density of buds: Medium. Flower bud distribution:             Generally isolated on one year old shoots. Ratio of wood             (leaf) buds to flowering shoots: 1/2 on short spurs. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaves.—Size: Medium. Average length: Medium; approximately             162 mm. Average width: Medium; approximately 40 mm.             Thickness: Medium. Color: About Dark Green 135B. Form:             Lanceolate. Tip: Acuminate. Base: V-shaped. Margin: Crenate.             Venation: Pinately veined. Vein Color: About Medium             Yellow-Green 151A to Medium Greyed-Red 179B where             anthocyanin develops. Red Mid Vein on Lower Side: Present.             Surface Texture: Smooth. Leaf blade (Ratio of length to             width): High; approximately 5/1 ratio. Shape in the cross             section: Concave. Angle at Apex: Small. Angle at Base:             Acute. Profile: Up folded. Leaf blade tip: Curved             downwardly. Angle of Tip: Acute. Undulation of margin:             Slight. Timing of Beginning of Leaf Bud Burst: Early.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: Medium; approximately 6 mm. Average             Diameter: Approximately 0.7 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Red             180A when dry. Nectaries: Present. Shape of Nectaries:             Reuniform. Thickness: Medium, approximately 1 mm.         -   Stipules.—Number/Leaf bud: Approximately 2 when present.             Typical length: Medium, approximately 8 mm. Color: About             Medium Yellow-Green 151A. Persistence: Falls off.         -   Leaf glands.—Form: Reniform. Average Number: About 3-4.             Position: On both leaf base and petiole, alternate. Average             Size: Medium; approximately 1 mm long. Color: About Dark             Greyed-Red 180A when dry. -   Flowers:     -   -   General.—Flower Blooming Period: First bloom: Approximately             first week in February. Location of First bloom: Toward base             of tree. Full bloom: Approximately first week in February.             Location of Full bloom: Midway on tree. Time of bloom:             Early. Duration of Bloom: Medium; approximately 10 days.             Type: Campanulate (non-showy). Time of beginning of             flowering: Early. Diameter of fully opened flower: Medium,             approximately 32 mm. Flower aroma: Very slight. Corolla             (main color on inner side): About Dark Red-Purple 63A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium; approximately 3-4 mm. Diameter:             Medium; approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium Yellow-green             146B. Pubescence: Absent.         -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Free. Length: Approximately             15 mm. Diameter: Approximately 10 mm. Shape: Broadly ovate.             Width: Medium. Apex Shape: Rounded. Base Shape: Narrows at             point of attachment. Color (Inner and Outer surfaces): About             Dark Red-Purple 63A. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins:             Smooth, undulating. Frequency of flowers with double petals:             None. Size: Medium approximately 10 mm wide. Claw length:             Medium. Margin waviness: Medium. Base angle: Narrow.             Division of upper margin: Entire. Pubescence of inner             surface: Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: Approximately 5 mm. Diameter:             Approximately 4 mm. Shape: Ovate. Color: About Medium Red             54B. Surface Texture: Smooth to slightly bumpy. Margins:             Smooth. Positioning: Not touching petals or receptacle.             Pubescence of inner surface: Absent. Pubescence of outer             surface: Absent. Frequency of flowers with double sepals:             None.         -   Stamens.—Number: Many, approximately 42. Average Length:             Approximately 7 mm. Filament Color: White. 155A. Anther             Color: About Dark Red 53B when drying. Flower Pollen Color:             About Dark Yellow-Orange 17B. Position compared to petals:             Slightly below.         -   Pistil.—Number: One, occasionally up to 4. Average Length:             Approximately 17 mm. Ovary Diameter: Approximately 1-1.5 mm.             Pubescence: None. Stigma Extension in Comparison to Anthers:             Above. Frequency of supplementary pistils: Few.         -   Flower buds.—Hardiness: Hardy. Size: Medium, approximately 4             mm long and 2.5 mm wide. Length: Medium. Shape: Obovate.             Positioning: Free. Pubescence: Few. Color: About Dark             Greyed-Orange 165A.         -   Receptacle.—Depth: Medium. Pubescence of inner surface:             Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.         -   Stigma.—Position (as compared with anthers): Above.         -   Anther.—Color (just before dehiscence): About Dark Red 53B.             Pollen: Present.         -   Pollen.—Color: About Dark Yellow-Orange 17B.         -   Ovary.—Pubescence: Absent.         -   Style.—Pubescence (of base): Absent. -   Fruit:     -   -   General.—(At firm-ripe, on tree managed to obtain maximum             size for commercial production near Wasco, Kern County,             Calif. Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. on             May 14, 2012).) Harvest: Date of first pick: Approximately             May 10, 2012. Date of last pick: Approximately May 20, 2012.         -   Maturity when described.—Firm.         -   Season ripening.—Early.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Towards the middle.         -   Symmetry about the suture.—Slightly asymmetric.         -   Size.—Average Size: Large Length (Stem End to Apex):             Approximately 70 mm. Diameter in Line with Suture Plane:             Approximately 69 mm. Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane:             Approximately 69 mm. Average Weight: Approximately 168 gm.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Apex base.—Rounded.         -   Mucron tip at pistil end.—Absent.         -   Shape of pistil end (excluding mucron tip).—Weakly depressed             under conditions in Bakersfield, Calif.         -   Symmetry (viewed from pistil end).—Slightly asymmetric.         -   Fruit stem cavity.—Shape: Rounded. Depth: Medium,             approximately 3 mm. Breath: Approximately 1 cm. Width:             Medium.         -   Fruit stem.—Length: Medium, Approximately 7 mm. Diameter:             Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 164B.             Adherence to stone: Strong.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness: Medium. Adherence to Flesh: Strong.             Surface Texture: Smooth. Pubescence: Absent. Bloom: None.             Ground color: About Medium Yellow-Orange 20B. Overcolor:             About Dark Red 44B to Dark Red 46A. Taste: None Firmness:             Firm Reticulation: Absent. Roughness: Absent. Tenacity:             Tenacious to flesh. Relative area of over color of skin:             Very large. Pattern of over color of skin: Solid to slightly             blotchy. Tendency to crack: Slight, in wet season.         -   Flesh.—Ripens: Evenly. Texture: Melting. Fibers: Moderate.             Flavor: Bland tart-sweet. Brix: Approximately 11°-12°.             Juice: Moderate. Aroma: Slight. Color: About Medium Yellow             11B. Sweetness: Low-Medium. Anthocyanin color of flesh in             central part of flesh: Absent or very weak. Anthocyanin             color of flesh next to skin: Absent or very weak.             Anthocyanin color of flesh around stone: Absent or very             weak. Amygdalin: Wanting. Acidity: Medium. Eating quality:             Fair. Carotenoid coloration of flesh: About Medium Yellow             11B. Stone/Flesh Ratio: About 1/28 by weight. Firmness:             Firm.         -   Pit cavity size.—Length: Approximately 30 mm. Diameter in             line with Suture Plane: Approximately 25 mm. Diameter             perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 20 mm. Color:             About Medium Yellow 11B.         -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Medium.         -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium.         -   Fruit use.—Fresh market.         -   Fruit shipping and keeping quality.—Good.         -   Stone.—(Measurements taken on dried stones.) Stone Freeness:             Clings over entire surface. Adherence to Flesh: Present.             Degree of Adherence to Flesh: Strong. Stone Size: Size:             Medium. Size compared to Fruit: Small. Length: Medium,             approximately 30 mm. Diameter in line with suture plan):             Approximately 25 mm. Diameter perpendicular to suture plane:             Approximately 20 mm. Width of Stalk End: Medium;             approximately 5 mm. Angle of Stalk end: Right angle. Hilum:             Oval. Stone Form Viewed from stem end: Oval-flattened.             Viewed from side: Oval. Viewed from ventral side:             Oval-flattened. Stone Shape: Lateral view: Oval. Base shape:             Nearly straight. Apex shape: Pointed. Relief of Surface:             Predominately pits. Stone Surface: Pitted throughout. Stone             Halves: Nearly symmetric. Stone Ridges: Continuous. Stone             Outgrowing Keel: Well developed. Stone Tendency to Split:             Low. Anthocyanin Coloration: Absent. Intensity of Brown             Color: Light. Position of maximum: Middle. Sides: Equal.             Pits: Circular-to-elongated. Fibers: Retains short             fibre-like threads along ridges. Ventrical Edge: Medium.             Dorsal Edge: Full, deep grooves.         -   Ventral surface.—Shape: Rounded slightly. Lips: Slightly             unequal. Depression of apex: Slightly. Pistil base: Not             persisting. Pubescence at apex: Absent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct nectarine tree as herein described and illustrated. 